TRASH TO TREASURE

Every year, my town has a clean-up day.  Each homeowner can haul all their unusually big trash to the curb for the city to pick up.  These are items that they otherwise would not be able to place in the regular trash cans during the year.  Each year, this is my family's adventure!  We cruise the town (population 2,500) to find items we think we can upcycle.  This year, my daughter and I went together.  We giggled so much as we found several items to redo.  There's just something about digging through other people's trash that gives you the giggles.  Maybe it's a twinge of fear that someone will catch us!  ...or maybe it's the thrill of finding something we think still has value.  ...or maybe it's the fact that there's no price tag on the items on public display.  At any rate, this year we had an absolute blast!

Being the procrastinator I am, I'm just now getting started on the hard part of one of my projects.  Here's what we found in June.  Isn't this loveseat and chair just lovely.  When we saw it, we immediately saw good bones.  Once we got them home, we realized the seat was in great shape too!  


The first task we completed was taking off all the dried-up plastic/wicker from the arms and the back.  Easy-peasy! 

Next, we needed to locate something to replace the backs of the chairs.  Well....it just so happened, the hubby just attended a local auction and purchased two huge wooden speakers for $1.  He purchased them for the wood.  He buys wooden objects cheap and then takes them apart to make bee hive boxes.  Well, these speakers had a strong mesh that worked perfectly for our chair backs.  With an electric drill, the hubby quickly applied the mesh by wrapping and screwing them into the metal frames.

We walked one block to the local Dollar General to buy a few cans of black paint....and a few hours later...walla!  We immediately liked the result of the black paint!  Even the mesh took the paint well! 

For a few weeks, we studied the arms and realized we needed something that looked similar to the plastic wicker.  ...but we didn't want plastic.  We wanted something strong that would hopefully last a little longer.  We looked high and low.  Pinterest didn't even have any real ideas of what we wanted to do on the arms.  However, Pinterest did have a few chairs with woven seats out of nylon rope. So, after much deliberation, we decided to buy some nylon rope.  We went with an 4mm craft cord made by Bonnie.  Since the chairs were black, we went with a black and white cord, hoping that would give us some flexibility with color for the cushions

Fast forward to November....  Okay, so a lot happened between July and November!  I fit it in when I can...don't judge me!

Anyway, on a lazy Saturday, I pulled my cord out of the closet and thought I would try out weaving the arms.  I had no idea what I was doing, but I thought long and hard about it every night before falling to sleep, so I kinda came up with what I wanted to do, but didn't really know if it would work.  It would definitely be a "test." 
What do you think?  I first applied long lines of cord parallel to the metal frame.  I looped them around the breaks provided about every two feet.  Then I took the rest of the cord and wove it through the original cords.  I couldn't fit the whole ball of cord through the spaces, so I had to cut shorter lengths to pull through.  Each time I added more cord, I just tied a triple knot and made sure it fell on the underside of the arm.
 
I'm still not finished with the project...for one thing, I ran out of cord.  Again, I had no idea how much cord I would need!  So, we'll be ordering more soon.  And then there was the matter of the cushions.  I priced cushions at JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby, but, since this was an upcycle, I thought they were too expensive.  For a nice 4" cushion, it would have cost me about $80.  So, I went to Facebook and asked my friends if they knew of a couch with removable cushions that anyone was trying to get rid of.  I knew I could cut them down and recover.  Low and behold, there was someone giving a couch and chair away!!!  I couldn't believe it and certainly didn't expect it!  ...and the awesome thing is the cushions fit the chair perfectly!  Now all I have to do is find some free fabric and we'll be good.  In the mean time, this works for me!

 
This project has been so much fun!  I still have to weave the loveseat and cover the cushions, but I just couldn't wait to share this project with you!  Maybe by Spring I'll have an update on the completed project!

Quick Five! Christmas

Well, it's only October, but Christmas is coming on fast!  I went to the store today and caught the bug because of all the Christmas items that are out already!  Well, the funds are slim this year, so...I found a few cute things on Pinterest today that I want to try.  So simple and a great way to use what I have!

Don't you just love this modern twist on a door wreath?  With a quick splash of spray paint and a few decorated ornaments and ribbon, you can turn a discarded frame into a fabulous Christmas display.  I love this and it will be a great project to work on with my Mom.

Since we are living in a smaller house, how about a smaller tree - a skinny tree!  There's a slight possibility I won't have to move anything out of the living room for a tree like this.  The featured tree was made by the owner, so...no tree purchase!  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.... 

I love these cute ornaments!  Do you have some canning lids and an unused  flannel shirt that can work for this one?  Plaid is in, so this project is a perfect one for this year

I also love these beautiful heart ornaments too!  Well, let's just say I love all kinds of ornaments!  But these might be some of my recent favorites.  They are so sweet and dainty.  utilize those old broaches in your costume jewelry box and spruce up your tree with these treasures.

Now let's not forget the grandchildren in all this celebration!  I have Mattox, my two-year old bundle of unlimited energy with me most days and I think this would make the perfect gift for his parents.  He loves doing things for others and he will be so proud of this one for Christmas.  It's never too early to teach the kids how to give.



Well, I hope you enjoyed my quick five for today!  Now all I want to do is get started making some Christmas cheer!

EXPECTATIONS

And so....my expectations have been low.  I love creating, blogging, and posting items to Etsy, but didn't expect anything until I work it at all levels.  I just made an online sale last week but didn't expect to sell anything else for a long time.  Then "BAM," sold a wood sign today!  It gives me hope that Etsy actually works!  Thank you, if you read my blog and/or ordered my product.  It's much more than a sale to us, its a hope for the future!

Downside of Being New to Etsy.com

Good Morning!

Being relatively new to Etsy.com is not easy!  We've actually been on for over a year...just haven't gotten much action.  The downside to Etsy is its really hard to get some momentum going!

By reading the Etsy Blog, I've learned that I must post something every day!  I've been working on this blog, Facebook and Pinterest, so everything is in place.  I think God is telling me to get more active on Etsy, because we sold a bracelet yesterday!  Whoohoo! 

Time to get moving!  Post, post, post!

Quick Five! Jewelry

Time for a break with a Quick Five!  I've been working on a lovely quilt I can't wait to finish, but wanted to touch base with the blog before time gets away from me again!

Today, I'm admiring upcycled jewelry!  My sister recently designed her very own beer cap necklace for a beer fest in Texas!  I loved the idea and she received many comments about the inspiring piece!  Maybe I'll get a picture of it some day to post here! 

I wanted to start off with this cute belt buckle necklace.  Adorable with the little charm in the middle, don't you think! You can find this and much more at  braceletsfor-all.blogspot.com.

A simple, but lovely idea, is using worn items found on the shore.  I love how the artist placed the jewels with coordinating colors next to this lovely blue piece of worn sea glass.  It's simple and classy.

You can find this and many more sea glass creations on Etsy.com.  The selection is enormous!





Can you believe someone saved old watches and harvested the faces?  Well, someone did and they are so cool on this layered necklace.  This one was found on Pinterest and was posted by Anthillantiques.com.  Try the website out to see some fantastic designs!




Another amazing artist can be found at KayAdams.com.  This necklace is a "one-of-a-kind" work of art with layers of vintage jewels!  The amount of time to collect all those bits and pieces must have been extensive.  Kay Adams' collection is extensive and a must see for vintage upcycled jewelry.


And finally, we arrive at an original Valera Grace design.  Just wanted to prove a point that we can design a piece of jewelry with just about any type of material we have or find. 

This one is by Brooke - simple, yet charming.  We are only limited by our imaginations!  Hope you have a fun day crafting!  Can't wait to see more creations online!

In the Beginning

I started crafting when I was about four years old.  At that time in history, I was in awe of my big sister's affinity for Barbie and followed her to see what the next project, party or style for Barbie was going to be.  I was a plump and smiling four-year old and she was a skinny preteen.  We shared the infamous dimple on the right side of our cheeks and, unlike the "middle sister," we were enthralled with all things Barbie.

During the school year, the big kids - there were five (three brothers and two sisters) - would head off to school every day while I was left behind with my Mother.  Of the memories I have, they were long boring days as my Mom cleaned house.  At first, it was fun to have the toy room all to myself, but eventually, it became old.  At age five, I began the pitiful pleas to begin school, so they let me start first grade a little early. 

In contrast with the school year, the summer was full of fun and excitement.  We spent very little time in the house....I think that was the rule my Mother made!  She cleaned so hard she didn't want anyone, especially kids, to mess it up.  After all, my Dad was in the military, so cleaning was the number one priority for inspections.  Anyway, for the kids, summertime fun was outside in the blistering heat of the mid-Texas town of San Angelo.

My first recollection of doing anything "handy" was when I caught my big sister, Toni, admiring some fabric; probably from old clothing, or maybe a dime-store find.  I was only four, so my memory is sketchy (but it's my story, so I'm sticking to it!!) Anyway, she was admiring the blue fabric with white flowers and sewing it into a Barbie blanket.  I think she already had a sewing box, some pins, needles, a pin cushion and thread.  After bothering her enough, she finally "caved in" to sharing the mystery of her craft.

She set me up on the shady side of the house.  We sat with our backs against the wall of our small house and she showed me how to line up two pieces of fabric (right sides together) and pin them.  She demonstrated how to thread the needle and insert it with thread through the fabric, carefully explaining the distance from the edge.  Once finished, we turned the fabric right side out and stitched the opening shut.  Finally, we stitched on top of the piece to quilt it.  I remember how she stressed the importance of "perfect" stitches.  She made me take out my mistakes each time I messed up!  At one time, she ran into the house to get something (maybe it was the seam ripper) and I remember poking my finger with the needle while she was gone and looking at the blood - that's probably why I still remember this day!

Once finished, we had the perfect little blanket for our Barbie house.  Of course, she actually had the perfect blanket and I had a blanket.  Most importantly though, she planted a seed within me.  It was a curiosity of how to make things and yearning to do something with my hands.  It was the beginning of the development of patience and an appreciation for something pretty, new and different.

I like to read stories of the beginning of a crafting life because it reminds me of my own story.  My crafting start took place in the blistering heat in a Texas town with the small comfort of our house shade.  It was about the small prick of a needle that made my finger bleed and the repeated steps of sewing and then taking out the crooked stitches.  I messed up, but got unlimited chances to try again.  It was about the beginning of many demonstrations from my sister and then my own (sometimes failed) attempts to repeat the steps. This is the beginning of my lifetime of crafting fun.

"Frankenfurniture"

My biggest fear with furniture upcycling is making a horrible piece of "Frankenfurniture!"  I've seen some pretty scary items on shows, in person and online.  I won't post other's epic fails, but when I make one, I'll be sure to share mine - maybe.  It will all depend on if I'm laughing or crying!  

I found this beauty today online and thought it was skillfully reworked.  In Crafting a Green World Co-editors Julie Finn, Bonnie Getchell, and Becky Striepe share tutorials, reviews, and roundups featuring the best in the world of conscious crafting and craftivism.

Of course, the fear of "Frankenfurniture" feeds into my procrastination problem which exacerbates my ability to waste time! 

FOCUS!!!!  I will overcome the dreaded "Frankenfurniture" fears! 

Quick Five! Upcycle

Here's a "Quick Five" from Pinterest.  Look how easy upcycling can be!  This list has a little bit for all members of the family. 
 

Try these easy dinosaur bookends!  A little spray paint transforms them from toys to interesting features in a room.  You can find this craft at doodlecraft.blogspot.com.  Natalie and her family love experimenting with new ideas.  I love that her blogging has become her easy-reference book for future projects!  I can just see these in a kids room!

Mom will love this knife block.  Transform the most basic item in the kitchen into a focal point! At bigdiyideas.com you'll find an abundance of ideas to make and upcycle. 

http://www.bigdiyideas.com/42-craft-project-ideas-that-easy-to-make-and-sell/

What about the man in your life?  Yep, there's a project for him...and this one is a real manly one!!!  Look at this recycled car hood at Recyclart.org.  I just love the natural colors in this piece!

http://www.recyclart.org/2009/03/recycle-car-into-table/

Hometalk.com has some practical ideas that are simple, but smart.  This upcycled storage for items that are used all the time is easy and charming. Perfect for the farm kitchen!

http://www.hometalk.com/16382145/five-minute-farmhouse-footed-stool

And finally, I just adore a good recycled jean project. This number can be found at the EllePuls store on Etsy.com.  With jeans, I prefer the more intricate projects. Just love this purse with varying shades of jeans and leather bottom and strap. On Pinterest, you can find a number of jean projects...and who doesn't have some old jeans that need to be recycled!  What did the "old timers" say?  "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."  We've created a waste land of items thrown away.  Wouldn't it be lovely to use this simple principle in our everyday life!

Hope you liked the "Quick Five!" today.  Now, let's get busy creating some of these fabulous projects!

 

Welcome to the Valera Grace blog, home of the gently repurposed and unique items you will want for yourself or as a gift for that special person! Here you can find a collection of our items as well as tips and tricks of the trade - and occasionally an "off the wall" post or two. Besides some of our products and ideas, the name Valera Grace has been recycled! Here’s a little history behind the name.

Born in Drop, Texas in 1896, our Grandmother came into this world with her own unique brand of style and “Grace.” She loved the outdoors, dancing, cooking, crafting and gardening. She could hunt, fish, play basketball and….crochet, sew and make ceramics! In fact, she had a love for life like no one else we have ever seen! When she died, I looked in her refrigerator and found a fresh cherry pie!

Valera Grace was upcycling before upcycling was cool!   As with many from her generation, Grandma used everything she had. She "reused, reduced and recycled" before our younger society embraced it.  Fabric from clothing became doll clothing, she crocheted around plastic that came off of six packs of drinks and she had a lovely foot stool made out of coffee cans and a used  bedspread.  I think I even saw her stuff pillows with scrap fabric from old clothes.  That was before Fiberfil.

Enjoy this blog in the comfort of your home as you see her progenies exhibit variations of her eccentric style as we infuse our modern and eclectic twists. We make wearable pieces of art, home décor and gifts from “off the beaten path.” We upcycle, recycle, repurpose and reuse a wide variety of materials to make our unconventional articles. Our dream is to bring new life, like the life our Grandmother had, into objects otherwise destined for neglect.

Yes, Valera Grace (the shop) is the legacy of one human soul brought to this world to show us how to do it! How to love life and appreciate all that surrounds us! Thank you Grandma Grace.

You can find us on Etsy.com